Works for the anticipated Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park upgrade project can now get underway following a blessing of the site.

The new carpark and visitor entry space, which is scheduled to be completed next year, will be the primary access to the Regional Park and will provide more than 80 additional carpark spaces.

A visitor entry space will also be created, highlighting the stories of the Pāpāmoa Hills' history and occupation for members of the public to read, says a statement from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

'There will be a new walking track from the carpark into the park, and a footpath connecting to the existing carpark.

'The new carpark will be located about 300m to the east of the existing carpark entrance on Poplar Lane.”

A small group of representatives from Waitaha, Nga Potiki, Ngāti Pūkenga and Ngāti He alongside Bay of Plenty Regional Councillors and staff, and consultants who are part of the project delivery team met at the location of the new carpark site to mark the occasion and bless the site on Monday, before works begin.

Physical works for the new space should start in mid-November 2021 and includes site excavation and pre-loading with structural fill.

Boffa Miskell, Law Creative and WSP have now completed a detailed design of the new carpark and visitor entry space in partnership with representatives from Waitaha, Ngā Potiki, Ngāti Pūkenga and Ngāti He.